What is Medicare Part A?

Original Medicare is made up of two parts: Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B. Medicare Part A provides coverage for inpatient care, including care received in a hospital, skilled nursing facility and sometimes, at home.


What is Medicare Part B? In a nutshell, Medicare Part B provides coverage for doctor visits and outpatient services. More information on Medicare Part B can be found here.

What Does Medicare Part A Cover?

Medicare Part A is hospital insurance. It covers the hospital charges and certain expenses you have during a hospital stay, including meals, operating room fees, necessary medical supplies and lab tests. Medicare Part A also covers inpatient hospital care required as part of a clinical research study.


However, Medicare Part A doesn’t cover doctor fees while you’re hospitalized—these are covered under Medicare Part B. Medicare Part A benefits also don’t extend to medically unnecessary fees, such as private duty nursing or personal care items.

Hospital care

When you’re admitted to a hospital, Medicare Part A covers most of your costs for up to 60 days. You’re responsible for paying a benefit period deductible. This period begins the day you are admitted and ends when you have been out for 60 days in a row.


Covered inpatient hospital services include:

  • Semi-private rooms
  • All meals, including special or medically-necessary diets
  • General Nursing
  • Care received in a special unit, such as Intensive Care and Coronary Care
  • Drugs, medical supplies and medical equipment used during your inpatient stay
  • Lab tests and X-rays completed during your inpatient stay
  • Operating room and recovery room services
  • Rehabilitation services received during your inpatient stay
  • Some blood transfusions

Skilled nursing facility care

Skilled nursing facility stays are covered under Medicare Part A following a related inpatient hospital stay. To qualify for skilled nursing facility care, you must enter the SNF within a short time (generally 30 days) of leaving the hospital and require skilled services related to your hospital stay.


Medicare Part A covers a semi-private room, meals and a range of services provided by the skilled nursing facility, including rehabilitation services, medications and medication administration, tube feedings, wound care and dietary counseling.

Home healthcare services

Medicare Part A covers home health care services when deemed medically necessary and ordered by your healthcare provider. These services include part-time or intermittent care, including physical therapy, speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, home health aide services and medical social services. * Usually, a home health care agency coordinates the services your doctor orders for you. The home health aide services would be included in eligible benefits order by your doctor.


Medicare Part A covers the entire cost of home healthcare services. However, if your doctor orders durable medical equipment for your use at home, this is covered under Medicare Part B. You are responsible for 20% of the Medicare-approved amount.

Hospice

If your healthcare provider has determined that you are terminally ill (six months or less to live), you qualify for hospice care through Medicare Part A. This palliative care focuses on relieving pain and keeping you as comfortable as possible. You are covered to receive hospice care as long as you need it. These services are typically provided in your home.


Hospice services covered under Medicare Part A include:

  • Doctor services and nursing care
  • Pain relief medications
  • Social services
  • Durable medical equipment and medical supplies
  • Hospice aide services
  • Homemaker services
  • Physical therapy
  • Occupational therapy
  • Dietary counseling
  • Short-term inpatient care, if required for pain or symptom management

To receive hospice care through Medicare Part A, you must agree to stop curative treatments. However, you have the right to stop hospice care and restart curative treatments at any time.


Keep in mind that neither Medicare Part A or Medicare Part B covers prescription drugs. Prescription drug coverage requires enrollment in a Medicare Part D plan or a Medicare Part C plan that includes prescription drug benefits.

How Much Does Medicare Part A Cost?

For most people, Medicare Part A is free—meaning you pay no premiums—if you or your spouse worked and paid Social Security taxes for at least 10 years.


For more information, please visit: Part A costs | Medicare

When and How Can I Sign Up for Medicare Part A?

If you’re turning 65 and are already receiving or are registered to begin receiving benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), you are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A.


If you are not getting Social Security benefits (i.e., if you’re still working), you will need to enroll in Medicare Part A. You can complete Medicare Part A enrollment by contacting Social Security. To avoid any late penalty payments, you’ll want to complete your Medicare Part A application during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). Your IEP spans seven months—the three months before your 65th birthday month, and the three months after your birthday.


Understanding the four Medicare parts and their combinations can be confusing. That’s why HelloMedicare is here to help. Reach out today to review your Medicare options for complete coverage at a cost that works for you.